Xie Xuzhi nodded. Although he didn’t understand the methods of the Xuan Sect, it didn’t mean his danger perception was weak.
In this underground tunnel, besides some dry and unreadable murals, there were minerals specifically used for illumination, making the tunnel not appear so dark.
Apart from that, there was nothing else on the stone walls, but Xie Xuzhi felt a creepy sensation.
The last time he had this feeling was when he was almost stabbed in the back during an assassination attempt.
Ginsengfruit’s senses were even stronger. He felt something was eyeing them as food.
"Master, there must be some Great Demon here..."
Ginsengfruit didn’t finish his sentence, but Yun Ran already understood the implication. This tunnel seemed very hidden.
But this concealment was only for those humans who were intentionally kept in the dark. For the life within Death Mountain, this tunnel was like a trivial thing.
The leader walking ahead heard Ginsengfruit’s words, and his eyes gleamed momentarily.
It was said that Yun Ran greatly valued her little disciple, and now it seemed Yun Ran was truly cunning.
The child called Ginsengfruit had astonishing talent and perception.
This tunnel had remained undiscovered for so many years, not solely because of their secrecy, but more because of the "protection" from these Great Demons.
Of course, this protection wasn’t free, and they regularly had to offer tributes to these Great Demons.
A collaborative relationship.
So, although the leader could also perceive the covetousness of the Great Demon, he wasn’t too worried. As long as the tunnel didn’t collapse, these Great Demons could only look on.
"Grumble grumble grumble..."
Ginsengfruit’s stomach rumbled.
The sound was almost infectious, and soon Yun Ran’s stomach also growled.
Despite Yun Ran’s young age, unless something important came up, her three meals a day were highly punctual.
"How much longer do we have to go? Even captives have the right to eat. We’re hungry and need food!"
With their stomachs rumbling like this, Yun Ran figured they’d been in this tunnel for at least seven to eight hours.
Once Yun Ran didn’t cooperate, Ginsengfruit and Xie Xuzhi fully sided with her unconditionally.
The leader walking ahead knew that unless he was certain he could drag Yun Ran and the other two away all at once, he could only be threatened by Yun Ran.
This was the leader’s first time encountering such high-profile captives. He touched the whip he took from Ginsengfruit.
He wanted to give Yun Ran and her companions a lash each but ultimately directed his hand elsewhere, taking out a bottle from his pocket.
Inside were pills that could suppress human hunger and keep humans at full energy.
If not for their expensive price, they would indeed be excellent for dieting.
The leader tossed the bottle to Yun Ran, his tone still calm: "There’s only this, make do!"
Yun Ran reached out to grab the bottle, opened the lid, and sniffed it—a fragrant scent wafted out, suggesting it wouldn’t taste too bad.
Yun Ran tipped out one and stuffed it into Ginsengfruit’s mouth, letting him try it first.
With a body crafted to withstand all poisons and repel evil, Ginsengfruit wasn’t annoyed at being used as a test subject. He chewed it casually.
After eating two pills, Ginsengfruit’s eyes and hands showed no change, letting Yun Ran know the pills were safe to eat.
She directly tipped out two more and popped them into her mouth, then gave some to Xie Xuzhi.
The discomfort of hunger vanished quickly once the pills were swallowed, replaced by a rush of energy.
"Let’s go!"
The leader saw Yun Ran and the others regain their strength and spoke lightly.
Normally, captured prisoners wouldn’t just have rumbling bellies—even if they were too starved to walk, that would be seen as normal.
But now, this leader actually gave them premium pills to restore their strength, showing he wasn’t afraid of their resistance at all.
Anyone uninformed might suspect the leader was a traitor.
If those words were spoken, the leader would surely scoff: Well, now they’re here, watched by those Great Demons—the idea of running away is laughable!
With their hunger gone, the group continued forward. Yun Ran had previously asked how much longer they had to go.
But the leader didn’t answer, seemingly unwilling to, so asking further was futile.
Xie Xuzhi checked his watch. It had been eight hours since they split paths at the fork.
Though he didn’t know the specifics here, Xie Xuzhi had some understanding of the conditions around Death Mountain.
This tunnel was clearly dug in a straight line.
Based on their speed and trajectory, they were now likely at the core of Death Mountain.
That infamous forbidden zone, where electronic devices would turn to useless scrap.
"Moo..."
As they walked, suddenly a cow’s bellow came from overhead.
The leader’s body visibly trembled, clearly not from joy but from fright.
Xie Xuzhi’s expression changed. This tunnel didn’t look like a shoddy construction, and its durability and isolation were first-rate.
Yet, they could hear the cow’s bellowing clearly, indicating only one thing—that this cow wasn’t any ordinary creature.
"A spirit-awakened cow, hearing its voice, it sounds quite angry..."
Yun Ran glanced up at the tunnel ceiling. Her Heavenly Eye pierced through, ’seeing’ the situation above ground.
A wild buffalo, five or six times larger than usual, was in combat with a python.
The python had the buffalo’s neck wrapped, prompting the buffalo’s angry outcry, resounding through the tunnel’s isolation.
From the scene, the buffalo seemed to be at a disadvantage; within ten minutes, the victor would be determined.
Yun Ran withdrew her gaze, her expression calm: "Nothing special, just like watching animal documentaries on TV."
Just as Yun Ran finished speaking.
"Crack," a sound of stone breaking was heard by everyone.
Xie Xuzhi looked up, noticing a thin crack appearing above the tunnel.
Ginsengfruit grabbed Yun Ran’s hand and started walking forward: "Let’s hurry, lest the fighting up there causes trouble and we’re buried alive in here—it’d be too unfair!"